Washington, DC [May 6, 2010]
-- Lung Cancer Alliance President and CEO Laurie Fenton-Ambrose said
today that the President’s Cancer Panel’s report on environmental
links to cancer is a strong call to action for more comprehensive
research and preventative measures on lung cancer.

The report states that the “true burden of
environmentally induced cancer has been grossly underestimated,” and
lists over 40 cancer causing agents including radon, certain metals
such as beryllium and chromium and cadmium, herbicides, motor vehicle
exhaust and creosotes used in products ranging from road paving to
laxatives.

According to the report, there is “strong evidence” of a
causal link to lung cancer for 15 of 40 specific agents, and a
suspected link with another five - making lung cancer the most often
cited of all environmentally linked cancers.

“The implications of this report are profound and
bolsters our position that lung cancer must be addressed as a national
public health priority with a comprehensive, aggressive and coordinated
plan of attack,” Fenton-Ambrose said.

Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death,
taking more lives each year than the next four biggest cancers -
breast, prostate, colon and pancreatic cancers - combined.

Lung Cancer Alliance, www.lungcanceralliance.org,
is the only national non-profit organization dedicated solely to
patient support and advocacy for people living with lung cancer and
those at risk for the disease. LCA is dedicated to reversing decades
of stigma and neglect by empowering those with or at risk for the
disease, elevating awareness and changing health policy.